Madhya Pradesh says ‘no’ to GM seed field trial

Madhya Pradesh government has declined to give no objection certificate for field trials of two genetically modified seeds — chick pea and mustard — in the State

The Madhya Pradesh government has declined to give no objection certificate for field trials of two genetically modified seeds — chick pea and mustard — in the State due to doubts over adverse impact of those crops on humans, animals, biodiversity and environment.

The decision over-rules the permission granted for such trials by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee under the Central Government in August.

The trials are for testing the bio-safety of the two new crop varieties.

The new chick pea seed promises to increase productivity by preventing damage to crops by podborer pest.

Yield loss in chick pea due to this pest is estimated at 21 per cent. The seed has been developed by the Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants.

The new mustard variety is the first-ever hybrid version of the crop developed indigenously. It was developed by the Delhi University’s South Campus and had been given to Delhi-based Sungro Seeds for field trial.

Expressing dismay, a senior official in the Central Government’s Department of Biotechnology said it was unfortunate as the new varieties could have helped increase the production of the two crops significantly in the country.